When Defective Vehicle Parts Are To Blame For A Baltimore Car Accident
Not every car accident in Baltimore is caused by driver error. Sometimes the vehicle itself is the problem. A defective tire, faulty brakes, or a malfunctioning steering component can turn an ordinary commute into a catastrophic crash.
If you suspect a defective vehicle part contributed to your Baltimore car accident, contact our experienced Maryland product liability lawyers. Find out how defective parts often contribute to crashes and your rights in seeking compensation.
Defective Vehicle Parts That Endanger Baltimore Drivers and Increase Crash Risks
Defective vehicle parts are a common contributor to car crashes in Baltimore. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) carefully monitors manufacturers and distributors and has issued recalls for over 60 million tires and nearly 225 million types of motor vehicle equipment due to safety defects. Common types of defects that can cause serious car crashes in Baltimore include:
- Faulty brakes that fail to respond properly at highway speeds on I-695 or in stop-and-go traffic on Baltimore’s city streets.
- Defective tires that blow out unexpectedly, causing drivers to lose control and veer into nearby lanes or oncoming traffic.
- Malfunctioning steering components, preventing drivers from maintaining control of the vehicle.
- Airbag defects, resulting in unexpected deployments or failure to deploy during a crash.
- Electronic stability control and other safety system failures.
Vehicle safety defects can affect any make or model, and they don’t always become apparent until right before a crash. Some defects result from poor manufacturing, while others stem from inadequate design or from a failure to warn consumers about known risks.
Your Rights When a Baltimore Crash Happens Due to Defective Parts
Defective vehicle part cases fall under product liability law. Understanding how these claims work is essential to protecting your rights to compensation in a Baltimore car accident claim. Here’s what you need to know:
- When a crash happens due to defective vehicle parts, the vehicle manufacturer, the parts manufacturer, or even the dealership or repair shop responsible for installing or maintaining the part can be held accountable.
- Preserving the defective part, the vehicle itself, and any available black box data is critical and should happen before any repairs are made.
- If the defect is part of an active recall, it can help strengthen your claim.
Compensation available in a Baltimore product liability claim includes property damages, medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering, along with punitive damages if the at-fault party was grossly negligent.
Contact Our Experienced Baltimore Product Liability Lawyers
Serious car accidents in Baltimore can happen due to defective vehicle parts. At Maryland Injury Lawyers, we know how to investigate these claims, work with engineering and safety experts, and build a case that holds every responsible party accountable.
For trusted, professional legal help, contact our experienced Maryland product liability lawyers and request a consultation today.
Sources:
nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/2024-11/MVSDefectsandRecalls-Update_112124_v1a_tag.pdf
mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gcj§ion=11-109
